iOS 14.5: The list of things to do before installing it

After a long beta period since February, the iOS 14.5 update, likely the last big update to iOS 14, is due to land on iPhones this week. iOS 14.5 will bring a slew of new features, including an update to the Find My app to support AirTags, but also support for Xbox Series X and PS5 controllers, and also updates to Maps and from Siri.

This new version will also feature a feature allowing Apple Watch users to unlock their iPhone using their watch rather than Face ID when wearing a mask. It's also a controversial update, as it includes Apple's new App Tracking Transparency feature, a change designed to increase user privacy by giving them the ability to opt out of ad-related tracking, something to cause concern among players in the advertising industry.

It all happens this week. While most people pounce on the update button as soon as it's available or wait for the update to install automatically, there's a chance you want to lay the groundwork for a smooth install.

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Double your save

First, make a backup. iOS updates are regular, but things can go wrong, and if that happens to you, your data is at risk.

It is recommended to have two backups: one in the cloud, in case things go wrong, and one on a PC or Mac, in case things go really wrong.

Next, password problems should be avoided. You will need to enter your iCloud password to be able to reconnect to all your data and photos. If you don't have that password handy — remember that having it on the device you're upgrading isn't that convenient — now is the time to do it. Also, if your local backup is encrypted, remember that you will need this password in case something goes wrong!

Free up space!

But there is one other thing I recommend doing before an upgrade. After seeing an iPhone crippled by lack of space (and in terms of the Apple ecosystem, consider that less than 1 GB of free space on an iPhone is considered a lack of space), it seems essential to me to make sure the iPhone has at least 1 GB of free space. Of course, iOS can automatically free up storage space to install an app or update iOS, but the process takes a lot of system resources, can be slow, and consumes a lot of battery.

I find it faster and easier to delete certain games or videos that I no longer need. I didn't use to do this, but I've noticed it makes the process much faster. Now that I do, I feel like my update is going much more smoothly, and I'm happy to know that if things go wrong, I have a backup of my data.

Source: ZDNet.com